Sports reporting for
@kcrg
| Love telling and hearing great stories | Always learning from
@medillschool
| NY➡️NU➡️IA | He/Him | What I’m doing lately ⬇️
Gabbie Marshall just played in her 165th game, more than any other player in Big Ten women's basketball history.
Sunday, she'll hit 166. What has she learned over all those games? Soak it all in.
Lisa Bluder's teams don't have a lot of turnover. With respect to the transfer portal - in which are about 900 players - not many are invited in, and not many leave.
"If you treat people right and they understand how important they are to your success... I think they'll stay."
Announcement from the pilot on our Charlotte to Cedar Rapids flight.
“Ladies and gentlemen from the flight deck… I gotta say something from the bottom of my heart. As a 49ers fan, I love coming to Iowa. Thank you for George Kittle. Thank you for Brock Purdy.”
"I've made it the last two months without getting fined I'll try it again."
Kirk Ferentz, after 25 years at Iowa, is not shy about voicing his displeasure with what he believes to be questionable calls.
I wouldn't blame an Iowa fan for being extremely upset right now.
On October 21 in Iowa City, a play that didn't end with a whistle was called back by the replay booth. Today, a play that ended with a whistle was called a fumble by the replay booth.
"You don't get an assist if your teammate doesn't make the basket."
Iowa starters not named Clark shot 55.9% from the floor, 66.6% from three-point range against Colorado. It helped Caitlin Clark set a program NCAA tournament record 15 assists.
Video:
@NCAA
I asked Iowa Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen about Aliyah Boston, and after praising her as a player, Jensen praised the All-American as a person. Jensen lost her father last week, she says Boston's kindness is "always bigger than the game."
Molly Davis.
It can't be easy to be a backup point guard for the most famous college athlete on the planet, but Davis came back to school to do it. She had a 18 points tonight, her best at Iowa.
Is this what she imagined when she came to Iowa? Asks
@Hlas
.
"No," Davis said.
Luke Lachey said the main factor in returning to Iowa for the 2024 season wasn't improving his NFL Draft stock, but "leaving a legacy."
Luke said his father (former NFL lineman Jim Lachey) told him if he could play in one more game he would play it in college, not the NFL.
Logan Lee: Very blessed to be coached by a coaching staff that has ethics and uses and does the right thing. And has some integrity to it.
When asked if he’d like to elaborate, Lee declined.
“But yeah, I'm proud. I'm proud to be a part of a team that has integrity. “
College coaches want to build teams, some do it faster than others.
T.J. Otzelberger took a 2-22 team, took it to three NCAA tournaments, and won a Big 12 title in year three. He is the bar.
After Kaleb Johnson scored the touchdown that won the Big Ten West, before his team mobbed him, he had an ever-so-brief moment to himself. He said in that moment he thanked God for patience.
Two weeks ago Johnson didn't record a carry. Today he helped the Hawkeyes win the West.
Seldom do we get a chance to see Kirk Ferentz actually, you know, coach his team. I don't think this drill has changed much in 25 years.
"Hips down... up through the guy...ass is low... eyes up" (and some other things I don't think I can repeat.)
Ashley Joens may have built the most impressive legacy in Iowa State history. No one in this state will forget her. Ashley, we've been blessed to watch you play too.
Courtesy: NCAA
One year ago today: I'll never forget asking Caitlin Clark about facing Angel Reese and "the two best trash talkers in college basketball."
Clark said it then, she's said it for a year since: It's NOT just two players. And passion, excitement, fire? It's what people want to see.
Checking in on Iowa-Wisconsin.
If Iowa wins this game, they should just give the Heartland Trophy to Cooper DeJean and let him keep it in his apartment for a year.
Beth Goetz is introduced for the first time as the University of Iowa's Athletics Director. She gets a standing ovation from the wrestling crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Tom Brands: "The Hawks got the best."
I’m a little biased, because I’ve heard more on-the-record words from Caitlin Clark than anyone else, but I don’t think any athlete has said the word “we” when given every opportunity to say “I” more than her.
Connor McCaffery told me he's got a couple coaching leads and "one opportunity that (he's) really looking forward to and set on."
He'll be a great head coach if he wants one day.
KF is frustrated with the gambling probe. When asked if he was dealing with an "uneven playing field" he answered affirmatively.
"We're the chosen ones."
Says he hasn't asked *why* Iowa is - apparently - the only state being investigated... he doesn't know who to ask.
#Hawkeyes
Caitlin Clark on a technical foul that appeared to be self-frustration, and nothing more.
"In women's basketball... People need to play with passion, people need to play with that fire, that's what it's about, that's who I am."
@jtlinder
the Q.
When Deacon Hill was pulled for Marco Lainez, the two quarterbacks were by each other's sides.
I noticed how Hill did not show his frustrations, he supported Lainez from the sidelines for the entire second half. Kirk Ferentz got emotional when I asked him about it.
According the ESPN and Caesers Sportsbook, the Over/Under on this game between Northwestern and Iowa from October closed at 37.5
Arland Bruce IV is accused of betting the "Under" on the game. His touchdown here took the point total from 33 to 39.
On February 3rd, 2022, Kylie Welker became the first recruit to commit to Iowa women's wrestling team.
On March 9th, 2024, Welker's victory clinches herself a national title, and a team championship for Iowa.
Poetry.
Spencer Petras was asked about competing for the starting QB role as a senior.
I think after five years he's figured out how to joke with us media types like
@ScottDochterman
and
@ChadLeistikow
.
This is absolutely wild.
@IowaWBB
has now put up 100 points in six Big Ten games this season.
The rest of the Big Ten has combined for six 100-point games in conference play over the last THREE seasons.
The Dowling Catholic student section - after about two minutes of yelling for her - was very excited to get a picture with Iowa governor Kim Reynolds.
(Not a politically motivated tweet, just noticing what’s around me).
I asked Caitlin Clark about balancing the intense love and hate that her stardom can engender.
She says it comes with the territory, but she'd rather focus on the opinions of those closest to her.
Lisa Bluder: "I think she's incredibly mature for her age."
“I applaud you for being here, for breaking the budget. Seriously, your bosses have decisions to make, to come cover women’s basketball like it’s never been covered before.”
Quietly hilarious moment from tonight's presser, Clark is asked how the team plays with aggression even late into the game when it's essentially decided.
CC: "We always say stab and twist, like we always..."
Assembled media: "Wait... did she just say what I think she said?"
Woah nelly. Caitlin Clark, Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin, Sharon Goodman, Molly Davis… breathe and say goodbye to Carver.
To call that class “program changers” in underselling their impact on the game.
Remember this young fan?
Well it turns out 11-year-old Malerie from Keokuk is a huge Caitlin Clark fan (shocker) and LOVES basketball. She’s been playing for four years, two of them on her travel team. Just wait, in a blink of an eye she’ll be going to Iowa basketball camps!
If Caitlin Clark was averaging 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, with the “weight of the world” truly on her shoulders, then the rest of the country better look out now that the weight is off.
"I think going into senior night having that decision clear not only for myself, but our fans, my teammates, I think that was super important."
Caitlin Clark on why right now was the best time to announce she will be heading to the WNBA following this season with the Hawks.
A Drake Relays shocker.
Prairie's Jackson Johannes was not the favorite in the boys 400m dash. He was not the second, nor the third. Johannes came in with the SEVENTH best time in the state, and today he broke a Relays record at 47.67! How'd he feel before the rest?
Nervous!
Henry Ryan before and after Mount Vernon's 30-23 loss today. Notice the blood on the jersey.
What a performance from the guy who was told he'd play quarterback five days ago. Gave it all.
Lisa Bluder's been coaching since 1984. Jan Jensen since 1993. Caitlin Clark... well she's a little newer than that.
They're loving this attention. Jensen said she worked her whole life to it. But they also say it "could have been a thing a long time ago." Get on board.
Patrick McCaffery is headed to Indianapolis, where there's a little Hawkeye reunion starting.
Connor is on staff with the Pacers, Caitlin Clark is just days away from selling the Fever out of '22' jerseys.
“They are maybe single-handedly the reason that I’m still here...”
Fighting multiple battles bigger than basketball, Mary Kate Moeder gets support from her family, and her team,
@CRXAVIERGBB
Brayson Laube, the greatest scorer in Marion history. His career can be summed up in pictures, not words. No fewer than six Heelan players and coaches acknowledged him, what a nightmare he's been to prepare for. Laube loses his final game 68-59. He'll play at Augustana next year.
“I had a feeling something was wrong. I didn’t know what it was because I felt a slight breeze between my legs.”
Austin Beam didn't know it at first, but he just flipped from just an Iowa sophomore to a viral sensation.
And he's laughing along with us.
Gennings Dunker is your champion, with a throw of 12 feet, 6 inches high. If you couldn’t tell by the trophy in his hand, I’m sure you could tell by the outfit.
He said he had to keep the trophy in the
#Hawkeyes
offensive line room.
The chant: "Queen Levin"
The shot: A dagger.
The result: A Solon state championship, and a dream achieved for 12 girls.
Among them, Anna Quillin had 16 rebounds, Hailey Miller had 14 points. But Callie was the star with 27 points and seven boards in her final game.
A dinner at Pullman Diner in Iowa City might've changed everything about the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2024.
Nick Jackson sums up the story of how almost the entire Iowa defense decided to come back over a meal. Credit
@Tyler_T15
for a taking Jackson down this road with good questions.
A brief moment in the tunnel with Brian Ferentz and Cade McNamara. Two men who have proved, despite painful and difficult circumstances, they are unequivocally bought into the Iowa program and each other.
History in Waverly.
This was the game-sealer, Hunter Clasen with the Berman "WHOOP" run of his life, he had four touchdowns and 193 scrimmage yards. Knights get to celebrate with the student section after a 45-17 win to advance to their first ever Final Four.
@WartburgKnights
The shocker of the tournament so far. Not in terms of an upset, just a sudden, near-impossible, turn.
Mount Vernon's Libbie Dix is down 3-0 with 90 seconds to go against No. 1 seed SE Polk's Bella Porcelli. Dix reverses and gets the fall.
@MVActivities
has Mustang in the finals!
Just saw two teams, Mount Vernon and Dike-New Hartford, advance to the state finals.
They both happen to be led by generational athletes: Chloe Meester and Payton Petersen.
Which was when I realized: Both are committed to Louisville... ACC volleyball fans better be ready.
How do you become one of the most accomplished athletic families in Iowa? This is a Thanksgiving tradition for the Ryans of Mount Vernon. A mile race for a year’s worth of bragging rights. No matter where they are in the country, all 9 Ryan kids compete (now, incl. grandkids!)
Today you’ll hear a lot about depth charts and conditioning, but this is what matters. 7-year-old kid captain Audrey of Waukee suffers from a very rare genetic mutation in her KIF11 gene, affecting her vision. Her favorite player? Nico Ragaini.
More on Audrey coming soon.
Austin Hilmer was a star on the diamond just last year for North Linn (
@NorthLinnLynx
). While he now plays basketball in college for Upper Iowa, he still stays connected to a sport he loves, just from a different perspective.
If you were to only watch Iowa women's basketball from a broad, national perspective, you may think of it as "The Caitlin Clark and friends show."
While Clark is a star, from all the fans
@ChelsieTBrown
and I have seen in Carver, we can tell that's certainly not the case.
A great hot mic moment. I'm doing a story on Austin Hilmer - a former high school star who now plays college basketball - umpiring youth games this summer. Before the game, Austin and Jake gave the kids some hype.
@NorthLinnLynx
*Taps* is this thing on?
I am absolutely pumped to be the newest sports/news reporter with
@KCRG
in Cedar Rapids! So excited to tell Eastern Iowa stories and maybe even get a Cyclone and Hawkeye to shake hands.
Stay tuned for Iowa news, college and high school sports
Malerie Grossman, the 11-year-old who received Caitlin Clark's shoes, was an absolute pleasure to talk to. She said she was nervous, but I think she did a great job!
Here are some of the best bites from one of the most fun interviews I'll ever do.
Remember this young fan?
Well it turns out 11-year-old Malerie from Keokuk is a huge Caitlin Clark fan (shocker) and LOVES basketball. She’s been playing for four years, two of them on her travel team. Just wait, in a blink of an eye she’ll be going to Iowa basketball camps!
T.J. Otzelberger, responding to a question about his polo shirts, says he wants his coaching staff to look uniform on game days... "and one way that we can show that is through how we dress."
However, at the end of his response, he gave the answer I'm sure we wanted to hear.
Payton Sandfort had a lot of praise for the freshmen. Of course, he knows one of them quite well.
Pryce only made one shot, but older brother was *hyped* for it.
What do you get when you combine two wide receivers with track speed (Braylon Wetjen, Rayce Heitman) and an Iowa LB commit who can also throw the rock (Derek Weisskopf)?
Just four of the most impressive touchdowns I've seen all year.
@WilliamsburgAD
is off to the title game.
There's a reason they call him the Chief Energy Officer. Here's Conrad Hawley's pregame speech (with my best attempt at censorship, this is a family show).
"She has more faith than she does fear.”
After receiving a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis, Summer Brand still radiates positivity on her mom's coaching staff at Mount Vernon.
@MVSBMadness
@MVActivities
Two years ago the number of Iowans who subscribe to Jaylen’s content was probably in the double digits. A few months ago the “Hawkeye Twitter” community first found him. Now he’s sitting courtside taking photos with Lisa Bluder.
Social media and basketball can be a wild thing.
Caitlin Clark Breaks The All Time NCAA Scoring Record, Passing Pistol Pete Maravich! Leads Iowa Over No. 2 Ohio State, Dropping 35 Points, 6 Rebounds, 9 Assists!! 🐐🐐
History made today at Mount Vernon. Maia Bentley just scored her 100th career goal. The Drake commit did it without her sophomore season due to the pandemic.
@MVActivities
Solon senior and Iowa commit Callie Levin is first and foremost playing for a state championship game.
But... she also just learned she won't be playing with Caitlin Clark, something
@ChelsieTBrown
and I had to ask her about (with a little shoutout to newsbreaker
@owensiebring
)